Symptoms and Treatment of Heart Worm in Dogs

"Heart worm in dogs is caused by bites from
infected mosquitoes that transmit the heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)
into the dog. The worms lives in the pulmonary arteries and the heart,
causing symptoms such as coughing, being short of breath and weight
loss. The severity of symptoms depends on the number of worms and how
long the worms have been causing a problem. The mean age for infected
dogs is age 3 to 8. Treatment options include medications and possibly
surgery. As
the worms multiple and grow, it can lead to canine heart failure and
death. In the United States it is more common in the West and Midwest,
but has been diagnosed in all 50 states. Cases that can be treated by
injection of a heartworm medication result in a cure 96% of the time.
Test
your dog for heartworms before buying a heartworm preventative in order
to avoid complications. Only purchase name brands recommended by a
veterinarian such as those at the bottom of this page. These products
are almost 100% effective in preventing the disease."

There are two types of heart worm in dogs. In pulmonary heartworm
disease, dogs have live heartworms in the pulmonary arteries. In caval
syndrome, there are worms in the in the heart itself. The worms
themselves may be alive or dead. Heartworm in dogs tend to be between 9
and 16 inches in length.

The disease can be lethal and infect the heart and lungs. As
the worms grow they can interrupt blood flow. An infestation can
include
100's of worms and grow for several years inside a dog.

Many people ask if heartworm medicine is necessary for a dog. The
answer depends on where a dog lives. The answer is yes in high risk
areas such as warmer climates. This includes the southern half of the
U.S., with a focus on the southeast. Another indicator is the mosquito
problem in your area. If there is a big mosquito problem, then dog
heartworm treatment is probably necessary. Dogs should also get a
preventative if they travel in these areas. The disease is somewhat
rare in the most northern states such as Washington. It never hurts to
consult with your veterinarian.

In areas where there are long lasting mosquito populations,
and with over 70 kinds of mosquitoes carrying the disease, it is highly
likely that one will bite and infect your dog. Prevention is the best
approach to heart worm in dogs.

Heart worm in dogs adult. Picture shows canine
heartworm in right
section of dog's heart. Heart worm dogs can grow up to 14 inches in
length

Getting Heartworm Disease In Dogs

Dogs are highly likely to get heartworm disease if they are bitten
by an infected mosquito. The mosquito spreads heartworm disease by
biting an infected dog, drinking in the heartworm and then passing on
the worm by biting another dog.

There are four factors that will affect how your dog reacts to
heartworms:

Number of worms

Health of your dog's immune system

Length of time your dog has the worms

How active your dog is

Dogs that are active tend to get a more severe case of heartworm
disease than inactive dogs. Also, large dogs tend to tolerate the
disease better than small dogs since small dogs have smaller artery
openings in the heart.

The risk of infection is higher in warmer climates of if the
temperature remains above 64F for one month or more.

Symptoms of Dog HeartWorms

Dogs that have not had any treatments to prevent heartworm are
checked for symptoms such as respiratory problems such as coughing
(particularly during exercise), muscle weakness or lethargy,
weight loss, shortness of breath or labored breathing, loss of appetite
and vision problems. Other symptoms include high blood pressure
(hypertension).

Heart worm in dogs can cause an enlarged canine
heart(Dirofilaria immitis)Source: From the collection of Dr. Richard Wescott viaWashington State University

Diagnosis

Heart worm in Dogs is diagnosed using a blood test that only
requires a few drops of blood and sometimes x-rays. Blood tests usually
do not detect the disease until the worms are at least 6 months old.
Other signs such as respiratory distress, hypertension (high blood
pressure) and kidney disease as also associated with heartworm.

Mild cases of heartworm in dogs can be detected while the disease is
still treatable.

Treatment For Canine Heartworms

There are three treatments for heart worm in dogs. These include
surgery, treatments using drugs that kill the heartworms (melarsomine
dihydrochloride) or no treatment if your dog has other problems such as
liver problems. Most dogs will need to be hospitalized.

Dog heartworm treatment can be expensive and traumatic. This is
compounded by shortages of the required dog heartworm medication.
Heartworm treatment starts with killing any larvae in the bloodstream
and worms that are in the heart itself. After killing off all of the
larvae, a medication called melarsomine (immiticide®) is used to kill
adult worms. Dogs being treated with melasomine need to be confined to
a crate and up to 8 weeks after receiving injections. The reason is to
keep dogs from being too active to reduce the risk of a dog getting a
pulmonary embolism or death. The only time they can leave the crate is
to go to the bathroom. The most common side effect of this treatment is
some swelling where the injection was given. With 2 doses, 96% of dogs
are cured with this treatment.

If the heart worms dogs caused any damage to the heart, this will be
permanent.

In severe cases, surgery is used to remove heartworm if your dog is
at high risk.

After treatment, cage rest is often recommended. Most Veterinarians
prefer to do this in their office, however, you can ask your Vet for a
tranquilizer or keep our dog in a caged area.

Heartworm Flea Tick Dog Medicine

Heartworm preventatives should be used starting between ages 6 to 8
weeks. For dogs that have not been protected by one of the following
treatments, a simple test in the Veterinarians office (antigen test)
will determine if your dog has heartworms. Do not give a treatment
until your dog has been tested first!

There are several treatments that are effective in preventing heart
worm in dogs. These approaches stop worm larva from developing during
the 1st 2 months after infection. These drugs are used every month or
in larger intervals. Even if you forget to treat your dog for 2 to 3
months, as long as you continue for the next 12, the treatments should
be effective. Most products have an automatic 15 day leeway built in.
Also, it can take up to 6 months for the tests to read positive for dog
heartworm after a dog has been bitten by a worm carrying mosquito.

We recommend buying name brand from a reputable company. Examples
include:

Heartgard
Plus: (prescription required) Convenient chewable that is very
popular with veterinarians. Almost 100% effective in recent studies.
Also helps to prevent roundworms and hookworms.

Interceptor:
(prescription required) Comes in a chewable. Prevents heartworm,
controls adult hookworm, and removes and controls adult roundworm and
whipworm. Almost 100% effective. 97% effective if used every 3 months.

Revolution:
Topical applied to skin of dogs 6 weeks of age or older. Almost 100%
effective. Kills fleas and flea eggs, ticks and ear mites.

Also, the addition of a natural homeopathic product such as Parasite
Dr., helps to support a dog's natural immunity, a step that could
be of benefit during recovery and to prevent future dog worm problems.

Adult Heartworm and Dogs

It is rare for a human to contract heartworm. If an adult does get
heartworm it is from a mosquito bite, not from contact with a dog.

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